Arkane Founder Jokingly Asks Xbox: “How Much For The Studio?” Amidst Massive Layoffs

The gaming world is buzzing, and not in a good way, as Microsoft’s Xbox division continues to undergo a massive restructuring. Amidst widespread layoffs and reports of studios potentially being divested, a familiar face from Arkane Studios’ past has thrown a curveball into the conversation.

Raphael Colantonio, the visionary founder who established Arkane Studios, creators of critically acclaimed titles like Dishonored and Prey, recently made a playful but pointed remark to Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. In response to a statement about the ongoing changes, Colantonio cheekily tweeted, “Regarding Arkane… how much? I’m asking for a friend.” He even added a classic tongue-out emoji for good measure!

While clearly a light-hearted jab rather than a serious business proposal, Colantonio’s comment highlights the very real and concerning situation at Xbox. Reports indicate that Arkane Studios is currently in “strategic options” discussions with Microsoft, hinting at a possible divestment. If this happens, Arkane would be the fifth studio to be cut loose in this recent wave, following in the footsteps of Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs.

Colantonio led Arkane for 18 years before departing in 2017 to form WolfeEye Studios, which brought us the unique action RPG Weird West. He hasn’t shied away from criticizing Microsoft’s handling of Arkane in the past, especially after the closure of Arkane Austin post-Redfall, which he publicly called “stupid.”

His criticisms extend beyond specific studio decisions. Colantonio has previously voiced strong concerns about Xbox’s broader strategy, particularly regarding Game Pass. Last year, he described the subscription service as an “unsustainable model” that has been “damaging the industry for a decade.” He argued that while “subsidized by MS’s ‘infinite money’,” eventually “reality has to hit,” suggesting Game Pass might either dominate or collapse.

Interestingly, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma’s recent statement seemed to echo some of these concerns. She admitted that while investments in Game Pass, multiplatform releases, and a diverse content portfolio generated “meaningful value,” these ventures “did not grow at the pace we expected.” Furthermore, she revealed a harsh truth about Xbox acquisitions: “In a typical year, we lost 64 cents for every dollar we invested.”

This candid admission from Xbox’s leadership paints a clear picture of the challenges the company is facing, making Colantonio’s humorous “how much?” question resonate even more deeply within the gaming community.